Kaitlyn Sharkey
EDC 102H- Area of personal expertise
Growing up I was never particularly into one specific activity for that long. I switched from t-ball to dance, and I ended my athletic career with cheerleading through high school. I tried many clubs and other activities besides those, but never quite found one I was super passionate about. Being an only child in my younger years meant I had to have a wild imagination to entertain myself most of the time. My favorite game was school. Eventually I stretched the game from my dolls, to my little cousins. Later on, I came to realize what I wanted to do as a profession; teach. Working with children is truly my area of expertise.
Being a pretend teacher in my basement made me the happiest girl in elementary school. Most people go through a phase but not me. I loved it and played school any chance I could. When I got too old to “play school,” I figured out a way to still entertain my desire to teach. I started volunteering at a daycare over the summer. I worked with preschool aged kids, their age ranging from three to five years old. I worked in that daycare for two summers until I was old enough to be offered a job. I was ecstatic when my boss told me because I could now get paid to do something I loved. At this point I realized my talent and passion was working with children.
Working over the summer at this day camp gave me the experience of working with kids in the play scenario. I was able to help them solve problems that aroused with their friends over sharing a toy. I could help them when they felt hurt because they were told they couldn’t participate in a particular game with their classmates. I did arts and crafts with them and enjoyed myself probably more than they did. It wasn’t until my senior year in high school when I actually got the hands-on experience of what being a preschool teacher was like. Before that, I just knew what it was like to interact with them while they were playing games and doing fun activities. After that I knew for sure what my major would be when I attended the University of Rhode Island in the fall.
During the school year, the seniors in my school were able to leave school whenever they had open periods. There was a total of nine periods in the day and luckily I had seventh, eighth and ninth period open! This just happened to work out perfectly with the daycare schedule. By the time I picked up lunch and made my way over there, the afternoon session was starting. I was able to now work during the school week and see what they do instead of playing all day. I saw how the teacher taught them letters and how they read stories and applied it to holidays and everyday lessons. By the end of the year I was filling in for the teacher half the time, and teaching lessons and learning more about working with children and being a preschool teacher. It was beyond a doubt a great experience.
Working at this daycare really opened my eyes to what a difference a preschool teacher can make in a child’s life. They teach the kids how to work together, how to share and most importantly, they introduce the alphabet to them. The teachers I worked with are my inspiration. The way they treat the kids like individuals and help mold them was fascinating to me and I couldn’t wait until I could be in their place. With the help of both of them and most importantly, the kids, I can honestly say that I believe my area of expertise lies in the field of children. In addition to working at this daycare, I got hands on experience at home as well because my brother is 5. I take care of him all the time and deal with his temper tantrums and whining very well now! I don’t know what I’m going to do when he is told old to be taken care of. With his help and the kids at the daycare, I have improved my skills for working and dealing with kids.
I’m positive that when I graduate from school, I will get a job that has something to do with children. The daycare I worked at and my baby brother helped me increase my skills with children. Working with children is definitely my area of expertise and it is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Being a role model to them is something I like to think I’m good at. Whether it is with my brother, cousins or the classroom full of preschoolers I hope to someday teach, my passion for helping little kids will always be present.
EDC 102H- Area of personal expertise
Growing up I was never particularly into one specific activity for that long. I switched from t-ball to dance, and I ended my athletic career with cheerleading through high school. I tried many clubs and other activities besides those, but never quite found one I was super passionate about. Being an only child in my younger years meant I had to have a wild imagination to entertain myself most of the time. My favorite game was school. Eventually I stretched the game from my dolls, to my little cousins. Later on, I came to realize what I wanted to do as a profession; teach. Working with children is truly my area of expertise.
Being a pretend teacher in my basement made me the happiest girl in elementary school. Most people go through a phase but not me. I loved it and played school any chance I could. When I got too old to “play school,” I figured out a way to still entertain my desire to teach. I started volunteering at a daycare over the summer. I worked with preschool aged kids, their age ranging from three to five years old. I worked in that daycare for two summers until I was old enough to be offered a job. I was ecstatic when my boss told me because I could now get paid to do something I loved. At this point I realized my talent and passion was working with children.
Working over the summer at this day camp gave me the experience of working with kids in the play scenario. I was able to help them solve problems that aroused with their friends over sharing a toy. I could help them when they felt hurt because they were told they couldn’t participate in a particular game with their classmates. I did arts and crafts with them and enjoyed myself probably more than they did. It wasn’t until my senior year in high school when I actually got the hands-on experience of what being a preschool teacher was like. Before that, I just knew what it was like to interact with them while they were playing games and doing fun activities. After that I knew for sure what my major would be when I attended the University of Rhode Island in the fall.
During the school year, the seniors in my school were able to leave school whenever they had open periods. There was a total of nine periods in the day and luckily I had seventh, eighth and ninth period open! This just happened to work out perfectly with the daycare schedule. By the time I picked up lunch and made my way over there, the afternoon session was starting. I was able to now work during the school week and see what they do instead of playing all day. I saw how the teacher taught them letters and how they read stories and applied it to holidays and everyday lessons. By the end of the year I was filling in for the teacher half the time, and teaching lessons and learning more about working with children and being a preschool teacher. It was beyond a doubt a great experience.
Working at this daycare really opened my eyes to what a difference a preschool teacher can make in a child’s life. They teach the kids how to work together, how to share and most importantly, they introduce the alphabet to them. The teachers I worked with are my inspiration. The way they treat the kids like individuals and help mold them was fascinating to me and I couldn’t wait until I could be in their place. With the help of both of them and most importantly, the kids, I can honestly say that I believe my area of expertise lies in the field of children. In addition to working at this daycare, I got hands on experience at home as well because my brother is 5. I take care of him all the time and deal with his temper tantrums and whining very well now! I don’t know what I’m going to do when he is told old to be taken care of. With his help and the kids at the daycare, I have improved my skills for working and dealing with kids.
I’m positive that when I graduate from school, I will get a job that has something to do with children. The daycare I worked at and my baby brother helped me increase my skills with children. Working with children is definitely my area of expertise and it is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Being a role model to them is something I like to think I’m good at. Whether it is with my brother, cousins or the classroom full of preschoolers I hope to someday teach, my passion for helping little kids will always be present.